Flat iron controller

ABSTRACT

The flat iron controller is an item of hairdressing equipment. The flat iron and the personal data device are defined elsewhere in this disclosure. The flat iron controller incorporates a flat iron and a personal data device. The personal data device controls the operation of the flat iron. Specifically, the personal data device: a) initiates the operation of the flat iron; and, b) sets the operating temperature of the flat iron.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of hairdressing equipment,more specifically, a flat iron (A45D1/00).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The flat iron controller is an item of hairdressing equipment. The flatiron and the personal data device are defined elsewhere in thisdisclosure. The flat iron controller comprises a flat iron and apersonal data device. The personal data device controls the operation ofthe flat iron. Specifically, the personal data device: a) initiates theoperation of the flat iron; and, b) sets the operating temperature ofthe flat iron.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of theflat iron controller will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art upon reading the following detailed description of thepresently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the flatiron controller in detail, it is to be understood that the flat ironcontroller is not limited in its applications to the details ofconstruction and arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustration. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilizedas a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems forcarrying out the several purposes of the flat iron controller.

It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the flat iron controller. It is also to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a partof this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided toenable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are notintended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments of the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended tolimit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented inthe preceding technical field, background, brief summary or thefollowing detailed description.

Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodimentsof the disclosure, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3.

The flat iron controller 100 (hereinafter invention) is an item ofhairdressing equipment. The invention 100 comprises a flat iron 101 anda personal data device 102. The flat iron 101 and the personal datadevice 102 are defined elsewhere in this disclosure. The flat iron 101is a heated device used to straighten hair. The personal data device 102controls the operation of the flat iron 101. Specifically, the personaldata device 102: a) initiates the operation of the flat iron 101; and,b) sets the operating temperature of the flat iron 101.

The personal data device 102 is a programmable electrical device thatprovides data management and communication services through one or morefunctions referred to as an application 121. The application 121 is aset of logical operating instructions that are performed by the personaldata device 102. The addition of an application 121 will provideincreased functionality for the personal data device 102. Thisdisclosure assumes that an application 121 exists for the purpose ofinteracting with the invention 100. Methods to design and implement anapplication 121 on a personal data device 102 are well known anddocumented in the electrical arts.

The flat iron 101 is an item of hairdressing equipment. The flat iron101 is a heated device. The flat iron 101 applies heat to the hair of aperson such that any curl in the hair of the person is flattened out.The flat iron 101 comprises a heating element 111 and a control circuit112.

The heating element 111 is an electrically resistive circuit element.The heating element 111 converts electric energy in the form of electriccurrent into heat. The heating element 111 is defined elsewhere in thisdisclosure. The heating element 111 generates the heat necessary toproperly operate the flat iron 101.

The control circuit 112 is an electric circuit. The control circuit 112controls the operation of the invention 100 by controlling the operationof the heating element 111. The control circuit 112 controls the heatingelement 111 by controlling the flow of electric energy through theheating element 111. The control circuit 112 controls the temperature ofthe heating element 111 using a feedback mechanism. Specifically, thecontrol circuit 112 measures the temperature of the heating element 111.The control circuit 112 compares the measured temperature of the heatingelement 111 with a desired temperature of the heating element 111. Thepersonal data device 102 transmits the desired temperature of theheating element 111 to the control circuit 112 using the wirelesscommunication link 135. The control circuit 112 adjusts the amount ofelectric energy that flows through the heating element 111 to maintainthe desired temperature.

The control circuit 112 is an independently powered electric circuit. Byindependently powered is meant that the control circuit 112 can operatewithout an electrical connection to an external power source 154.

The control circuit 112 comprises a logic module 131, a communicationmodule 132, a transistor 133, and a power circuit 134. The logic module131, the communication module 132, the transistor 133, and the powercircuit 134 are electrically interconnected. The logic module 131further comprises a temperature sensor 136. The temperature sensor 136electrically connects to the logic module 131. The communication module132 further comprises a wireless communication link 135. The wirelesscommunication link 135 forms a communication link with the personal datadevice 102.

The logic module 131 is a readily and commercially availableprogrammable electronic device that is used to manage, regulate, andoperate the control circuit 112. The communication module 132 is awireless electronic communication device that allows the logic module131 to wirelessly communicate with a personal data device 102.Specifically, the communication module 132 establishes the wirelesscommunication link 135 between the control circuit 112 and the personaldata device 102. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure thecommunication module 132 supports a communication protocol selected fromthe group consisting of a WiFi™ protocol or a Bluetooth™ protocol.

The personal data device 102 instructs the logic module 131: a) toinitiate the operation of the flat iron 101; and, b) the desiredoperating temperature at which to maintain the flat iron 101. The logicmodule 131 transmits the current operating temperature of the flat iron101 to the personal data device 102.

The logic module 131 monitors the temperature sensor 136 to determinethe temperature of the heating element 111. The logic module 131controls the operation of the heating element 111 by controlling theflow of electric energy through the transistor 133. Specifically, thelogic module 131 actuates the transistor 133 between operating as anopen switch and operating as a closed switch to control the electricenergy flowing through the heating element 111. The logic module 131actuates the transistor 133 by controlling the electric current flowinginto the base 143 of the transistor 133. The logic module 131 controlsthe temperature of the heating element 111 by controlling the electriccurrent flowing into the base 143 of the transistor 133. The temperaturesensor 136 is a sensor. The temperature sensor 136 electrically connectsto the logic module 131. The temperature sensor 136 transmits anelectric signal to the logic module 131. The logic module 131 uses thetransmitted electric signal to determine the actual temperature of theheating element 111.

The transistor 133 is a three terminal electrical device. The transistor133 operates as an electrically controlled switch. The transistor 133physically controls the flow of electric energy from the power circuit134 into the heating element 111. The logic module 131 controls theoperation of the transistor 133. The transistor 133 further comprises acollector 141, an emitter 142, and a base 143.

The transistor 133 operates as a switch. When a voltage is applied tothe base 143, current will flow into the base 143 and the transistor 133will act like a closed switch allowing current to flow from thecollector 141 to the emitter 142. When the voltage is removed from thebase 143, the transistor 133 will act like an open switch disruptingcurrent flow from the collector 141 to the emitter 142. The emitter 142electrically connects to the heating element 111 such that when thelogic module 131 transmits an electric current into the base 143, thetransistor 133 allows electric current to flow from the power circuit134 into the heating element 111. The transistor 133, the collector 141,the emitter 142, and the base 143 are defined elsewhere in thisdisclosure.

The power circuit 154 is an electrical circuit. The power circuit 154powers the operation of the control circuit 112. The power circuit 154is an electrochemical device. The power circuit 154 converts chemicalpotential energy into the electrical energy required to power thecontrol circuit 112. The power circuit 134 comprises a battery 151, adiode 152, a charging port 153, and an external power source 154. Theexternal power source 154 further comprises a charging plug 155. Thebattery 151, the diode 152, the charging port 153, the external powersource 154, and the charging plug 155 are electrically interconnected.The battery 151 further comprises a first positive terminal 161 and afirst negative terminal 171. The external power source 154 furthercomprises a second positive terminal 162 and a second negative terminal172.

The battery 151 is an electrochemical device. The battery 151 convertschemical potential energy into the electrical energy used to power thecontrol circuit 112. The battery 151 is a commercially availablerechargeable battery 151. The chemical energy stored within therechargeable battery 151 is renewed and restored through the use of thecharging port 153. The charging port 153 is an electrical circuit thatreverses the polarity of the rechargeable battery 151 and provides theenergy necessary to reverse the chemical processes that the rechargeablebattery 151 initially used to generate the electrical energy. Thisreversal of the chemical process creates a chemical potential energythat will later be used by the rechargeable battery 151 to generateelectricity.

The charging port 153 forms an electrical connection to an externalpower source 154 using a charging plug 155. The charging plug 155 formsa detachable electrical connection with the charging port 153. Thecharging port 153 receives electrical energy from the external powersource 154 through the charging plug 155. The diode 152 is an electricaldevice that allows current to flow in only one direction. The diode 152installs between the rechargeable battery 151 and the charging port 153such that electricity will not flow from the first positive terminal 161of the rechargeable battery 151 into the second positive terminal 162 ofthe external power source 154. In the first potential embodiment of thedisclosure, the external power source 154, the charging plug 155, andthe charging port 153 are compatible with USB power requirements.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Application or App: As used in this disclosure, an application or app isa self-contained piece of software that is especially designed ordownloaded for use with a personal data device.

Battery: As used in this disclosure, a battery is a chemical deviceconsisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is convertedinto electricity and used as a source of power. Batteries are commonlydefined with a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

Bluetooth™: As used in this disclosure, Bluetooth™ is a standardizedcommunication protocol that is used to wirelessly interconnectelectronic devices.

Communication Link: As used in this disclosure, a communication linkrefers to the structured exchange of data between two objects.

Control Circuit: As used in this disclosure, a control circuit is anelectrical circuit that manages and regulates the behavior or operationof a device.

Diode: As used in this disclosure, a diode is a two terminalsemiconductor device that allows current flow in only one direction. Thetwo terminals are called the anode and the cathode. Electric current isallowed to pass from the anode to the cathode.

External Power Source: As used in this disclosure, an external powersource is a source of the energy that is externally provided to enablethe operation of the present disclosure. Examples of external powersources include, but are not limited to, electrical power sources andcompressed air sources.

Feedback: As used in this disclosure, feedback refers to a system,including engineered systems, or a subsystem further comprising an“input” and an “output” wherein the difference between the output of theengineered system or subsystem and a reference is used as, or fed backinto, a portion of the input of the system or subsystem. Examples offeedback in engineered systems include, but are not limited to, a fluidlevel control device such as those typically used in a toilet tank, acruise control in an automobile, a fly ball governor, a thermostat, andalmost any electronic device that comprises an amplifier. Feedbacksystems in nature include, but are not limited to, thermal regulation inanimals and blood clotting in animals (wherein the platelets involved inblood clotting release chemical to attract other platelets).

Flat Iron: As used in this disclosure, a flat iron is a device that usesheat to straighten hair.

Heating Element: As used in this disclosure, a heating element is aresistive wire that is used to convert electrical energy into heat.Common metal combinations used to form heat elements include acombination of nickel and Chromium (typical: 80/20), a combination ofiron, chromium and aluminum (typical 70/25/5), a combination of copper,nickel, iron, and manganese (typical 66/30/2/2) (use for continuouslyhot), and platinum.

Logic Module: As used in this disclosure, a logic module is a readilyand commercially available electrical device that accepts digital andanalog inputs, processes the digital and analog inputs according topreviously specified logical processes and provides the results of thesepreviously specified logical processes as digital or analog outputs. Thedisclosure allows, but does not assume, that the logic module isprogrammable.

PDD: As used in this disclosure, PDD is an acronym for personal datadevice.

Personal Data Device: As used in this disclosure, a personal data deviceis a handheld logical device that is used for managing personalinformation and communication. Examples of personal data device include,but are not limited to, cellular phones, tablets, and smartphones. Seelogical device

Plug: As used in this disclosure, a plug is an electrical terminationthat electrically connects a first electrical circuit to a secondelectrical circuit or a source of electricity. As used in thisdisclosure, a plug will have two or three metal pins.

Port: As used in this disclosure, a port is an electrical terminationthat is used to connect a first electrical circuit to a second externalelectrical circuit. In this disclosure, the port is designed to receivea plug.

Resistance: As used in this disclosure, resistance refers to theopposition provided by an electrical circuit (or circuit element) to theelectrical current created by a DC voltage is presented across theelectrical circuit (or circuit element). The term impedance is oftenused for resistance when referring to an AC voltage that is presentedacross the electrical circuit (or circuit element).

Resistor: As used in this disclosure, a resistor is a well-known andcommonly available electrical device that presents a resistance thatinhibits the flow of electricity through an electric circuit. Within anelectric circuit processing alternating currents, the resistor will notaffect the phase of the alternating current. A current flowing through aresistor will create a voltage across the terminals of the resistor.

Sensor: As used in this disclosure, a sensor is a device that receivesand responds in a predetermined way to a signal or stimulus. As furtherused in this disclosure, a threshold sensor is a sensor that generates asignal that indicates whether the signal or stimulus is above or below agiven threshold for the signal or stimulus.

Temperature: As used in this disclosure, temperature refers to arelative measure of the kinetic and vibrational energy contained in theatoms and molecules of a first object (or system) relative to thekinetic and vibrational energy contained in the atoms and molecules of asecond object (or system). When two objects (or systems) are in thermalequilibrium, the temperature of the two objects (or systems) is thesame.

Transistor: As used in this disclosure, a transistor is a general termfor a three terminal semiconducting electrical device that is used forelectrical signal amplification and electrical switching applications.There are several designs of transistors. A common example of atransistor is an NPN transistor that further comprises a collectorterminal, an emitter terminal, and a base terminal and which consists ofa combination of two rectifying junctions (a diode is an example of arectifying junction). Current flowing from the collector terminalthrough the emitter terminal crosses the two rectifier junctions. Theamount of the electric current crossing the two rectified junctions iscontrolled by the amount of electric current that flows through the baseterminal. This disclosure assumes the use of an NPN transistor. Thisassumption is made solely for the purposes of simplicity and clarity ofexposition. Those skilled in the electrical arts will recognize thatother types of transistors, including but not limited to, field effecttransistors and PNP transistors, can be substituted for an NPNtransistor without undue experimentation.

USB: As used in this disclosure, USB is an acronym for Universal SerialBus which is an industry standard that defines the cables, theconnectors, the communication protocols and the distribution of powerrequired for interconnections between electronic devices. The USBstandard defines several connectors including, but not limited to,USB-A, USB-B, mini-USB, and micro USB connectors. A USB cable refers toa cable that: 1) is terminated with USB connectors; and, 2) that meetsthe data transmission standards of the USB standard.

WiFi™: As used in this disclosure, WiFi™ refers to the physicalimplementation of a collection of wireless electronic communicationstandards commonly referred to as IEEE 802.11x.

Wireless: As used in this disclosure, wireless is an adjective that isused to describe a communication channel between two devices that doesnot require the use of physical cabling.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationship for the various components of theinvention described above and in FIGS. 1 through 3 include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation,assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilledin the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognizenumerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the variousembodiments of the present invention which will result in an improvedinvention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, theinvention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flat iron controller comprising a flat iron and a personal data device; wherein the personal data device controls the operation of the flat iron; wherein the flat iron is a heated device.
 2. The flat iron controller according to claim 1 wherein the personal data device: a) initiates the operation of the flat iron; and, b) sets the operating temperature of the flat iron.
 3. The flat iron controller according to claim 2 wherein the flat iron is a heated device; wherein the flat iron applies heat to the hair of a person such that any curl in the hair of the person is flattened out.
 4. The flat iron controller according to claim 3 wherein the flat iron comprises a heating element and a control circuit; wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the heating element.
 5. The flat iron controller according to claim 4 wherein the heating element is an electrically resistive circuit element; wherein the heating element converts electric energy in the form of electric current into heat.
 6. The flat iron controller according to claim 5 wherein the control circuit is an electric circuit; wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the flat iron controller by controlling the operation of the heating element; wherein the control circuit controls the heating element by controlling the flow of electric energy through the heating element.
 7. The flat iron controller according to claim 6 wherein the control circuit measures the temperature of the heating element; wherein the control circuit compares the measured temperature of the heating element with a desired temperature of the heating element; wherein the personal data device transmits the desired temperature of the heating element to the control circuit using the wireless communication link; wherein the control circuit adjusts the amount of electric energy that flows through the heating element to maintain the desired temperature.
 8. The flat iron controller according to claim 7 wherein the control circuit is an independently powered electric circuit; wherein by independently powered is meant that the control circuit can operate without an electrical connection to an external power source.
 9. The flat iron controller according to claim 8 wherein the control circuit comprises a logic module, a communication module, a transistor, and a power circuit; wherein the logic module, the communication module, the transistor, and the power circuit are electrically interconnected; wherein the communication module further comprises a wireless communication link; wherein the wireless communication link forms a communication link with the personal data device.
 10. The flat iron controller according to claim 9 wherein the logic module further comprises a temperature sensor; wherein the temperature sensor is a sensor; wherein the temperature sensor electrically connects to the logic module; wherein the temperature sensor transmits an electric signal to the logic module; wherein the logic module uses the transmitted electric signal to determine the actual temperature of the heating element.
 11. The flat iron controller according to claim 10 wherein the power circuit comprises a battery, a diode, a charging port, and an external power source; wherein the external power source further comprises a charging plug; wherein the battery, the diode, the charging port, the external power source, and the charging plug are electrically interconnected; wherein the battery further comprises a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal; wherein the external power source further comprises a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal.
 12. The flat iron controller according to claim 11 wherein the logic module is a programmable electronic device; wherein the communication module is a wireless electronic communication device that allows the logic module to wirelessly communicate with a personal data device; wherein the communication module establishes the wireless communication link between the control circuit and the personal data device.
 13. The flat iron controller according to claim 12 wherein the personal data device instructs the logic module: a) to initiate the operation of the flat iron; and, b) the desired operating temperature at which to maintain the flat iron; wherein the logic module transmits the current operating temperature of the flat iron to the personal data device; wherein the logic module monitors the temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the heating element; wherein the logic module controls the operation of the heating element by controlling the flow of electric energy through the transistor.
 14. The flat iron controller according to claim 13 wherein the logic module actuates the transistor between operating as an open switch and operating as a closed switch to control the electric energy flowing through the heating element; wherein the logic module actuates the transistor by controlling the electric current flowing into the base of the transistor; wherein the logic module controls the temperature of the heating element by controlling the electric current flowing into the base of the transistor.
 15. The flat iron controller according to claim 14 wherein the transistor is a three terminal electrical device; wherein the transistor operates as an electrically controlled switch; wherein the transistor physically controls the flow of electric energy from the power circuit into the heating element; wherein the logic module controls the operation of the transistor; wherein the transistor further comprises a collector, an emitter, and a base; wherein the transistor operates as a switch; wherein when a voltage is applied to the base, current will flow into the base and the transistor will act like a closed switch allowing current to flow from the collector to the emitter; wherein the emitter electrically connects to the heating element such that when the logic module transmits an electric current into the base, the transistor allows electric current to flow from the power circuit into the heating element.
 16. The flat iron controller according to claim 15 wherein the power circuit is an electrical circuit; wherein the power circuit powers the operation of the control circuit; wherein the power circuit is an electrochemical device; wherein the power circuit converts chemical potential energy into the electrical energy required to power the control circuit.
 17. The flat iron controller according to claim 15 wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery; wherein the charging port is an electrical circuit that reverses the polarity of the rechargeable battery; wherein the charging port forms an electrical connection to an external power source using a charging plug; wherein the charging plug forms a detachable electrical connection with the charging port; wherein the charging port receives electrical energy from the external power source through the charging plug.
 18. The flat iron controller according to claim 17 wherein the diode is an electrical device that allows current to flow in only one direction; wherein the diode installs between the rechargeable battery and the charging port such that electricity will not flow from the first positive terminal of the rechargeable battery into the second positive terminal of the external power source. 